The chart is generally a map of the planets, showing their signs, movements and associations with each other. The planets are the energizing factors in astrology – and in life. They each animate a different force within us. The activating qualities of the planets are all pervasive, from the most visible and apparent to the most subtle and mystical. Just as the nature of Ayurveda starts with the subtle principle of a “Tanmatra” – an essence – and shows that essence expressed tangibly through an organ of action an organ of knowledge and an element. The planets also have this energizing quality – operational on the three planes of existence: Body, Mind and Spirit – Tamas, Rajas, Sattwa..

Translation Chart of the Planets:

Surya

Chandra

Mangal

Budh

Guru

Shukra

Shani

Rahu

Ketu

Sun

Moon

Mars

Mercury

Jupiter

Venus

Saturn

N. Node

S. Node

Ch. 3 – Graha Characters and Description

1. Maitreya: “O Mahārishi, you have affectionately explained about the incarnations of Grahas. Now kindly detail their characters and dispositions.

2-3. Paraśar: “O Brahmin, listen to the account of placement of the heavenly bodies. Out of the many luminous bodies sighted in the skies some are stars, yet some are Grahas. Those, that have no movements, are the Nakshatras (asterisms).

4-6. Those are called ‘Grahas’, that move through the Nakshatras (or stellar mansions) in the zodiac. The said zodiac comprises of 27 Nakshatras commencing from Ashvini. The same area is divided in 12 parts equal to 12 ‘Rashis’ commencing from Mesh. The names of the Grahas commence from Sūrya. The Rashi rising is known, as ‘Lagn’. Based on Lagn and the Grahas, joining and departing from each other, the native’s good and bad effects are deducted

Benefics and Malefics. Among these, Sūrya, Śani, Mangal, decreasing Candr, Rahu and Ketu (the ascending and the descending nodes of Candr) are malefics, while the rest are benefics. Budh, however, is a malefic, if he joins a malefic.

14-15. Grah cabinet. Of royal status are Sūrya and Candr, while Mangal is the Army chief. Prince-apparent is Budh. The ministerial Grahas are Guru and Śukr. Śani is a servant. Rahu and Ketu form the Grah Army.

16-17. Complexions of Grahas. Sūrya is blood-red. Candr is tawny. Mangal, who is not very tall is blood-red, while Budh’s hue is akin to that of green grass. Tawny, variegated and dark are Guru, Śukr and Śani in their order.

Deities of Grahas. Agni, Varuna, Subrahmanya, Maha Vishnu, Indra, Shachi Devi and Brahma are the presiding deities of the 7 Grahas in their order.

Gender of the Grahas. Budh and Śani are neuters. Candr and Śukr are females, while Sūrya, Mangal and Guru are males.

35-38. Strengths of Grahas. Strong in the East are Budh and Guru. Sūrya and Mangal are so in the South, while Śani is the only Grah, that derives strength in the West. Candr and Śukr are endowed with vigour, when in the North.

BIO

Sam Geppi (Sadasiva) is the author of “Yoga and Vedic Astrology” and “The Ascendant-108 Planets of Vedic Astrology”. He is the founder of the American Academy of Vedic Art and Science – which offers level 1-3 Certification programs in Vedic Astrology. Currently the Academy has more than 250 students enrolled. Sam is certified level 1 and 2 through ACVA and CVA and was hired by Dattatreya Shiva Baba to teach the first Astroved Vedic Astrology Certification Program in 2010.